Billy Jarvis earns badge of courage from hero Andy Reid

AFTER the incredible way he squared up to the injuries he suffered in Afghanistan, it is fair to say Andy Reid is well placed to recognise courage.

So after little cancer battler Billy Jarvis damaged the glass trophy he was presented at the Pride of St Helens awards, who better to step forward and hand over another prize to the schoolboy than the remarkable ex-soldier?

The six-year-old, who is in remission after battling leukaemia, was highly commended in the courage category at the Pride of St Helens awards, where he won plenty of admirers.

Organisers decided to get a new trophy made up for him and asked Andy, who won the bocboc courage category and Pride of St Helens honour, to hand it over at Langtree Park.

Billy’s mum Claire, 32, from Thatto Heath, said: “He broke the first trophy on the night when he lifted it above his head and dropped it.

“He was gutted when it broke so it was lovely to go back to Langtree Park and be presented with it by Andy.

“The two of them really seemed to hit it off on the night. Andy had a really lovely way with him and was very patient.

“Billy was happy and even took the trophy into school (St Ann’s Primary School, Rainhill) for an assembly.”

Andy, 36 and from Windle, said: “He is an amazing young lad. I don’t think he realises what he has come through.

“He notices I’m different but probably doesn’t understand how it happened.

“Maybe he sees me as a hero and that is a good thing that children growing up see soldiers who have disabilities because there are going to be lots of others walking the streets who have suffered injuries while in service.”